Breast cancer awareness month is upon us and pink is everywhere. Football players wear pink, buildings are aglow with pink lights at night, bakeries sell cookies with pink ribbons on them - you can't help but be reminded on a daily basis.
This initiative started back in 1985 as a partnership between the American Cancer Society and Imperial Chemical Industries as a campaign to increase awareness of the disease and the effort keeps growing bigger every year. The goal is to have people learn what steps to take to detect the disease in its early stages and to encourage others to do the same. Annual mammograms and regular breast examinations are the key to finding and treating breast cancer when it is still very curable. Just about everyone has a friend, coworker, neighbor or family member who has been impacted by this disease. Two of my sisters have battled breast cancer and both of them discovered it through their annual mammogram and began treatment immediately. It's so scary when someone you love is diagnosed with cancer because you feel so helpless. But knowledge is power and knowing the enemy does help when dealing with the emotional, physical and spiritual toll this disease wreaks on families. I know that I read everything in sight on breast cancer so I could try to understand what my sisters were going through, and it really did help me support them in their fight. So when you see those pink ribbons remember to schedule your mammogram and call your friends and remind them as well. Pink is pretty but more importantly it's a powerful reminder to take care of yourself and those that you love.
Below are some books that were helpful to me in understanding breast cancer, its side effects and early treatment:
The Breast Cancer Survival Manual by John Link M.D. is an information packed guide with the latest findings to help women facing breast cancer feel informed and empowered.
Breast Cancer Journey by Ruth O'Regan highlights all the latest medical developments from diagnosis through recovery.
The Whole-food Guide for Breast Cancer Survivors by Edward Bauman presents a nutrition and lifestyle plan for enhancing immunity and preventing reoccurrence.
I Am Not My Breast Cancer by Ruth Peltason is a collection of stories from women all over the globe dealing with the emotional and physical challenges of breast cancer.
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